Step 1: File your FAFSA

You can apply for financial aid before you apply for admission to UNO; however, you must be admitted to a degree-seeking program of study in order to be offered financial aid.

The FAFSA can be filed beginning October 1 of each year. Submit your FAFSA before UNO's priority filing date of April 1 each year to maximize the amount of aid you may receive. Eligible students who apply by this date have a greater chance of receiving need-based aid. We encourage you to submit your FAFSA even if the priority filing date has passed.

Step 2: Apply for scholarships

Need-based scholarships require completion of the FAFSA. Be sure to note the deadlines (most occur between December and March) and requirements. Continue searching for scholarships throughout the year as new scholarships are posted regularly.

Step 3: Monitor your to do list on MavLINK

If you are selected for financial aid verification, you will receive an email from UNO notifying you to check your "To Do" list items within MavLINK for a current list of requested items, including instructions and/or forms needed to complete your file. Please complete any "To Do" items on MavLINK promptly since financial aid processing can only continue once you have submitted all requested documents. Keep up on your "To Do" list as new requests for items may arise throughout the year.

Not all students are selected for verification so please do not submit additional information unless requested by UNO.

Step 4: Receive your offer

The awarding process for current students usually begins in February. If you are chosen for verification once all items are processed by the Office of Financial Support and Scholarships you will receive your Award Notification by email. Your Award Notification lists your offered financial aid for the entire academic year. Some offered awards are contingent upon full-time enrollment (12 credits per term for undergraduates) and are based on your academic level, estimated cost of attendance, financial need, and application completion date. If your enrollment changes, we will pro-rate your awards through the first week of classes.

Our primary method of communication is through your UNO email address. All students can view their Award Notification through MavLINK once a financial aid award offer has been made.

Carefully consider how much you need to borrow in terms of student loan funds and avoid borrowing more than you really need. When borrowing, be sure to check terms and conditions before accepting any loan and be sure you understand your re-payment obligation.

Step 5: Act on your awards

Use MavLINK to accept your financial aid award. All gift aid (grants and scholarships) are automatically accepted for you. You may decline any loans you do not plan on borrowing. You may also reduce your offered loan amounts if the loan has not been disbursed. Once any amount of the loan has disbursed, this option will not be available online and you must request a change in person or by email to the Office of Financial Support and Scholarships.

Step 6: Enroll in direct deposit

We recommend enrolling in direct deposit through MavLINK so funds post directly to your bank account if you will be receiving a refund. Otherwise, any financial aid refund issued will be mailed to your local address no sooner than a few days before the start of each semester. Allow up to two weeks for your direct deposit enrollment to activate. Check with your bank to ensure your funds are available in your account before drawing on any available refund. Visit the Office of Cashiering/Student Accounts if you have questions regarding your direct deposit enrollment.

Step 8: Receive your funds

To receive your financial aid refund during the week before classes, you must register for classes, complete your financial aid file, and accept your awards at least two weeks before the semester begins.

Financial aid disbursement will begin no sooner than a few days before the start of each semester. The amount that is disbursed is determined by the number of credits you are enrolled in at the time of disbursement. Available financial aid will begin paying your UNO charges at that time.

If your credited aid is in excess of your university charges, you will receive a financial aid refund for the difference either by direct deposit to your bank account or by check. If you do not enroll in direct deposit, any refund owed will be mailed to you no sooner than a few days before the start of the semester. Confirm or update your local address via MavLINK. If you need your check to be re-issued, please contact the Office of Cashiering/Student Accounts.

Your financial aid will be applied to your current UNO charges first. If financial aid is canceled or does not pay all tuition and fees, you will be responsible for these remaining charges. Tuition and billing correspondence will be sent to your official UNO email account. UNO expects students to check their UNO email frequently to stay current with university-related communications, including e-billing notifications. You can also view your account balance and make a payment via MavLINK.

Most residence halls will be charged to you through the UNO billing system and these charges will be paid with any available financial aid. Residence hall charges that are billed outside of the UNO billing system are not automatically paid with your financial aid. Consult with your residence hall office on how to pay these charges with your financial aid refund. For additional information please visit Residential Life at UNO online.

Step 9: Maintain your eligibility

As a financial aid recipient, you are required to continue eligibility by maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), filing a FAFSA each year, completing all requested financial aid items on your "To Do" list on MavLINK, and maintaining all other eligibility criteria.

If you fail to meet one or more of the SAP standards, you will be ineligible to receive financial aid, and will be notified by email.

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